Ronald Everett Dowler

Durango resident Ronald Everett Dowler died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at his home. He was one week shy of his 71st birthday. The cause of death is undetermined at this time.

Mr. Dowler was born to Jacob and Opal Dowler on Jan. 12, 1942, at Mercy Hospital in Durango. He graduated from Durango High School in the earlier 1960s. Mr. Dowler lived his entire life in La Plata County, including Durango, Sunnyside and Hesperus.

On Nov. 19, 1961, he married Donna Anderson in Durango.

Mr. Dowler worked for the Colorado Department of Transportation for 32 years and supplemented his income as a farrier and working on Joe Hotter’s farm.

“He loved hunting, family gatherings, farming and ranching,” his family said, “and he helped with the Young American Bowlers’ Association.”

Mr. Dowler was preceded in death by his wife of almost 51 years, Donna Anderson Dowler, in November 2012. His sister Shirley Short died earlier the same day in Durango.

Mr. Dowler is survived by his son, Duane Dowler, of Durango; daughter, Karey DeMarte, of Westminster; brother, Dean Dowler, of Durango; sister Reola Melanson of Yorktown, Texas; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.